What is the Difference Between a Rollator and a Traditional Walker?
The difference between a rollator and a traditional walker is, wheels. A walker has four legs and all four legs stay in contact with the ground when you are moving. The walker must be lifted in order to move forward. A rollator is often called a "rolling walker with a seat". A rollator has four wheels and brakes and does not need to be lifted to move forward. Rollators are easy to maneuver because the wheels swivel. Rollators tend to be large so they can be difficult to maneuver inside small apartments or narrow hallways. Walkers aren't as easy to move and navigate but they are more stable since all four legs stay on the floor, this makes a walker the better choice if you have issues with balance. Walkers can also partially support your weight while you are walking or standing.
If you have issues with balance, weakness while standing, or need a firm immobile support to help you walk, you should not use a rollator and you should use a walker instead. A rollator is a great choice if you can balance yourself but need a place to sit frequently or you need help carrying oxygen tanks, or other necessities. A rollator is helpful if you have weakness in your arms and you have a hard time lifting up a regular walker. When using a walker you should lift the walker and move it forward without moving your feet, so you are only moving the walker forward as far as your arms will allow. Once the walker is back on the ground, then you can step forward. This is repeated until you arrive to your destination. It is not safe to walk and move the walker at the same time.
